Musical groups cannot stay together forever. Sometimes they part company on differences, sometimes due to deaths, and there are times when it is just the right time to move on to something new or different. The rumble between Burton Cummings, Randy Bachman and the faux Guess Who edges the boundaries of the Truth in Music laws. I suspect that the name of the last original member has been kept on the roster, allowing them to continue to advertise as The Guess Who.
What about lead singers who move on when the group still wants to perform under the current name? And of course, if a lead singer passes away, it creates an absence that may be very difficult to fill and still sync with the recorded releases.
This subject can go on infineum, but I bring it up only because I am attending two such concerts this weekend.
The first one, the lead singer moved on and then reestablished a new band under the original name, and the second concert where the lead singer passed away in 2010 and the band has added a new lead.
Friday, I hop aboard (more like drive aboard) the Bridgeport/Port Jefferson ferry to then drive to Riverhead, NY to The Suffolk Theatre for a “Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone” concert. It was bad weather, but apparently, I have sea legs, so although the choppy ride was not enjoyed, it did no damage.
As expected, it was a wonderful concert. Guitarist, Vance Brescia is from Long Island so the "local boy done good" received much audience support and thoroughly enjoyed his time on stage. Jokes about respiratory medication that was behind a monitor flew around at one point, prompting Peter to ask Vance if he was ok to do his kick dance during 'Just a Little Bit Better.' Vance took over the punch line after his parade across the stage to grab an inhaler from the floor and use, or appear to use, it much to the banned's and audience's delight.
A surprise to me at this concert were the number of male fans who did not seem to have been dragged to the concert by their wives or partners. They expressed their enjoyment enthusiastically, with one gentleman jumping up in the aisle continuously to dance WILDLY. As a dancer, I was thinking, "I'm not sure I could do that anymore ... or if I did, I would need a few days recovery. He wore a cap that said DANCE, so it really wasn't his fault. It may have contained itching powder.
There were solos and recognitions of each banned member: Billy Sullivan on guitar, Vance Brescia on guitar, Dave Ferrara on drums, Rich Spina on keyboards. Peter came into the audience to sing several songs as he covered his daily "step" requirement. Vance threw T-Shirts to the balcony, making the target on the fourth try. He really has a great arm!
I passed out glowsticks to the three women near me. They had offered me a stick of gum and a section of their huge pretzel, neither of which I accepted, but it started a conversation. Two women were mother and daughter who were here together to celebrate Mothers' Day. The mother in question repeatedly thanked her daughter for thinking of her and this event. Keep it in mind, everyone! Concerts make good gifts.
I will add the set list as it has become tradition here …
Something Good
Wonderful World
Love Potion #9
Dandy
A Must to Avoid
Ring of Fire
Daydream Believer
All My Lovin'
Just a Little Bit Better
Silhouettes
Listen People
Doo Wah Diddy
RIVERHEAD (sung to tune of Barbara Ann)
Ferry Across CT (how about that?)
Leanin' on a Lamppost
No Milk Today
End of the World
Sea Cruise
Where Were You When I Needed You
Bus Stop
I'll Never Dance Again
Benny and the Jets
I'm a Man M*A*N
Start Me Up
Can't You Hear My Heartbeat
Mrs. Brown
Henry VIII
A Kind of Hush
Many Herman's Hermits songs and other 60s songs slipped in. And yes! I know I spelled band, b a n n e d. That is the way Peter spells it when referring to them in print. Have they ever been banned? That is for the history books, but no, not in the present incarnation.
A much better ferry ride home to watch The Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday night. Whereas, HHSPN has an original lead singer and a new band, The Brooklyn Bridge has original band members, newer band members and a new lead singer.
Although The Brooklyn Bridge was founded in March of 1968, it was a collection and merger of other groups who had been successful in the recording business. Johnny Maestro and the Crests were a group that developed from others. The Del-Satins began backing Dion and had several hits with him. Fred and Tom Ferrara from the Del-Satins joined Johnny Maestro with Joe Ruvio and Jim Rosica and became The Brooklyn Bridge - ultimately becoming Johnny Maestro and The Brooklyn Bridge. The band had accumulated so many people that it was an eleven piece set. That prompted their manager to say "Booking this group is going to be like booking The Brooklyn Bridge." OK! We got a name! The Bridge then went down to five pieces and back up to eight. Sounds like a revolving door, but through it all there was music. Hit music at that.
Tonight, we get to hear music from original members Joe Ruvio and Jim Rosica, as well as newer members, John Williams, Mike Ernst, Lou Agiesta, Joe Esposito, and Marty D'Amico. They continue to sing to honor the songs that might not otherwise be heard and to honor three members who have passed: Johnny Maestro, Fred Ferrara, and Les Cauchi.
Much to my surprise, as I sit down, I hear "Does anyone know if Johnny Maestro is going to appear tonight?" Golly, I hope not. I have to take deep breaths and realize that not everyone keeps up with the music industry. Time goes by but it remains the same for us in our memories. Joe Esposito, who is the lead singer turned down the initial request to join The Brooklyn Bridge as his thought was that there was no way he could replace Johnny Maestro. Then, like my thought process, he realized that the only way to continue to hear the songs was to have them performed. He has a similar voice and quality to Johnny and thankfully so, as these songs require F major key range.
River Deep Mountain High
Never Let You Go
Blessed is the Rain - Their second song released
Pretty Little Angel - written by Johnny Maestro
I'm Losing You - Motown cover
Peace of Mind - sung acapella
In 1960, Dion left The Belmonts and used The Del-Satins as his backing band. To honor the hits that Fred and Tom Ferrara and Les Cauchi had as The Del-Satins, they sing the following songs:
Ruby Baby
Runaway Sue - A rise came out of the audience when they hit the AHHHHHHHHHH part and we took over almost professionally gaining volume and going up the scale perfectly. The Brooklyn Bridge stopped playing and just let us handle it. I was never prouder of audience knowledge.
The Wanderer
And then …
The Angels Listen In
Step By Step
16 Candles
(These were songs from Johnny Maestro and The Crests)
In 1955, Al Hibbler sang the controversial "prison" song, Unchained Melody. Johnny Maestro and The Righteous Brothers re-recorded it in the '60s. Now Joe Esposito has to follow all their performances. FANTASTIC, JOE!
After a brief intermission, they return. They start with a couple of songs from The Temptations ... The Brooklyn Bridge enjoyed covering Motown hits.
All I Need
Ready Willing and Able
My Juanita
Lonely Tear Drops – the Jackie Wilson song
My Prayer - a great hit from The Platters
Welcome Me Love - flip side of Blessed is the Rain. Jim Rosica says that that they sold exactly the same number of records ... for those of us who are into coincidence. Joe Esposito responded, "Are you alright? Did you forget your medication?" I was already rofl.
Ain't That Peculiar from Marvin Gaye
Sweetest One - the flip side of My Juanita. (Bet they sold exactly the same number of records too)
Calling all Angels
Your Husband, My Wife - the 1969 controversial song that was pulled from radio stations at the same time that Led Zeppelin was singing, "I want to give you every inch of my love". I considered it a tragic love song and bought the 45.
Mustang Sally
AND FINALLY ... THE BIGGIE: Worst That Could Happen.
I also considered this a tragic love song, and since the two songs were the ones I remembered best, I considered The Brooklyn Bridge performers of beautiful harmonic tragic love songs.
There is no doubt I prefer to hear the originally recorded lead singer in live concert, but I can enjoy tribute bands, bands singing covers, and bands that continue on when their lead singer is unable or unwilling to perform. AS LONG AS THEY ARE HONEST ABOUT IT!
A wonderful Mothers' Day weekend for someone who is musically inclined.
Because you know, a day without music is like ... just kidding ... I have no idea!
Shelley J Sweet-Tufano
NE Correspondent
Forgotten Hits
